Daily Encouragement - 05 August 2011

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, August 5, 2011 We cannot build true character if we allow ourselves to be swayed by passing praise or censure. "Don't concern yourself with petty criticisms! Commune constantly with fine books and fine people and improve yourself!" This was the creed by which Mr. Makiguchi and Mr. Toda lived their lives. From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Friday, August 5, 2011 The great lantern that illuminates the long night of the sufferings of birth and death, the sharp sword that severs the fundamental darkness inherent in life, is none other than the Lotus Sutra. The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1038 A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras Written to Toki Jonin on May 26, 1280 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, August 5, 2011 Buddhist optimism is not the escapist optimism of those who throw up their hands and say, "Somehow or other things will work out." Rather it means clearly recognizing evil as evil and suffering as suffering and resolutely fighting to overcome it. It means believing in one's ability and strength to struggle against any evil or any obstacle. It is to possess a fighting optimism. Sensei on Human Relationships - Words of Wisdom   In order to overcome our prejudices, we must constantly strive to develop the habit of looking at ourselves from the point of view of others. Realizing that all people have both good points and bad, in the end the important thing is to strive to combat our own inner obstinacy and narrow-mindedness.

Chapter Study

Please note that Chapter Study is scheduled for the second Wednesday as usual 10th August, Catriona has kindly offered to host. I hope to see you there.

Sally

Daily Encouragement - 04 August 2011

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, August 4, 2011   The resolve to accomplish your goals is what counts. If you earnestly put your mind to something, your brain, your body, your environment - everything will start working toward achieving that end.        From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Thursday, August 4, 2011   I spoke out solely because I had long known that the people of Japan would meet with great suffering, and I felt pity for them. Thoughtful persons should therefore realize that I have met these trials for their sake. If they were people who understood their obligations or who were capable of reason, then out of two blows that fall upon me, they would receive one in my stead.   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 828 Reply to Yasaburo Written to Saito Yasaburo on August 4, 1277      Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, August 4, 2011   In Buddhist terms, the great universe and the self - the great macrocosm and the microcosm are one. Since the self and all phenomena are one, all things are interrelated. Termed dependent origination, this teaching explains that all things weave a single whole in which individuals live in relation to all others. In other words, all beings and phenomena exist or occur because of their relationship with other beings and phenomena, and nothing in either the human or the nonhuman world exists in isolation. All things are mutually related to and interdependent with all other things. They all form a great cosmos maintaining the rhythms of life.     Sensei on Life - Potential - Words of Wisdom   A person fully awakened to the jewel-like dignity of their own life is capable of truly respecting that same treasure in others.

SGI-UK ANNIVERSARIES 2011

see list of anniversaries on this page

Daily Encouragement - 03 August 2011

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, August 3, 2011   As human beings, let us reach beyond our small, limited selves and attain an all-encompassing state of being, our hearts communing with the vast universe.        From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Wednesday, August 3, 2011   Judging from these examples, we may conclude that for evil people living in the latter age the attainment of Buddhahood does not depend upon whether their offenses are slight or grave, but solely upon whether or not they have faith in this sutra.   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 409 Reply to Hakiri Saburo Written to Hakiri Rokuro Saburo on August 3, 1273      Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, August 3, 2011   Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith - Nichiren       Sensei on Courage - Words of Wisdom   True courage and adventure is found in exploring the meaning of life and discovering the reason for your existence. Even greater joy and fulfillment is found in the persistent struggle to contribute to others' happiness.

Daily Encouragement - 02 August 2011

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Tuesday, August 2, 2011   The greater our efforts to advance kosen-rufu, the greater the benefit and eternal good fortune we will accumulate in our lives. The more outstanding people we can foster, the stronger and healthier we will become. The more aware we are of our responsibility, the more joy we will experience. Such are the workings of the Buddhist Law.       From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Tuesday, August 2, 2011   The heart of the Lotus Sutra is the revelation that one may attain the supreme enlightenment in one's present form without altering one's status as an ordinary person. This means that, without casting aside one's karmic impediments, one can still attain the Buddha way. Thus T'ien-t'ai says, "The other sutras only predict Buddhahood . . . for the good, but not for the evil. . . This [Lotus] sutra predicts Buddhahood for all."   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 410 Reply to Hakiri Saburo Written to Hakiri Rokuro Saburo on August 3, 1273     Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Tuesday, August 2, 2011   Why was Shakyamuni Buddha so respected? One of the reasons was the power of his voice. His voice is recorded as "beautiful, sweet like honey, warm and graceful, resounding and clear." He is also described as an individual who "speaks brightly, remarks brightly, narrates gracefully, talks clearly, expresses himself eloquently to make himself understood." Shakyamuni called to anybody who visited him, "Welcome, welcome." It is expounded that he associated with people with his friendliness, joy and gentleness. He always politely greeted any person he encountered. He never greeted them in an unfriendly manner. It is said that he first opened his mouth to speak to the other person so that he or she would have an easier time to open up to Shakyamuni.      Sensei on Strength - Words of Wisdom   Every hardship is an opportunity to strengthen ourselves, to temper our life and make it shine with greater luster.

Daily Encouragement - 01 August 2011

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Monday, August 1, 2011   We must not allow ourselves to become bureaucratic and take for granted the efforts of those working behind the scenes. Nor must we ever forget to be considerate of those members of our families who may not be practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism. We must remember that for every person involved in SGI activities there is another, supporting him or her behind the scenes.     From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Monday, August 1, 2011   If Nichiren's compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity, for it has the beneficial power to open the blind eyes of every living being in the country of Japan, and it blocks off the road that leads to the hell of incessant suffering.   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 736 On Repaying Debts of Gratitude Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo on July 21, 1276     Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Monday, August 1, 2011   By wholeheartedly and directly meeting life's challenges, we bring forth from within ourselves the "three bodies of the Buddha," which are truth, wisdom and compassion. The light of this internal wisdom constantly encourages and guides us toward true and correct action.     Sensei on Health and Illness   Human life is indeed wondrous. You may be ill physically, but as long as your mental state is strong, it most certainly will exert a positive influence on your body. There may be no better remedy than hope.